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Anti-robot protest organizer says he didn't fake rally

AUSTIN -- Adam Mason insists he was sincere when he organized an anti-robot protest on Saturday afternoon at South By Southwest here. The small demonstration drew national and international to the ongoing debate over the potential threats of artificial intelligence.

AUSTIN -- The man behind a protest against machines now finds himself in a vortex of controversy.

Adam Mason insists he was sincere when he organized an anti-robot protest on Saturday afternoon at South By Southwest here. The small demonstration drew national and international to the ongoing debate over the potential threats of artificial intelligence.

But some suggest his "debate" was an elaborate publicity stunt to promote a dating app.

"Not true -- I honestly believe in what we said at the rally about the dangers of robotics and AI in general," said Mason, 23, a computer engineer who attracted attention from USA TODAY, NPR, TV stations and a slew of tech news sites. The Daily Show with Jon Stewart is one of scores of media outlets around the world interested in Mason's cause.

"This is a very sensitive topic and, unfortunately, my message was misinterpreted," said Mason, who declined to talk about his start-up. "I could have handled it better."

Mason was repeatedly asked at the rally if it was a spoof, and said no.

The hullabaloo over Mason's motivation has shaken him. During a 20-minute phone interview Monday night, the Austin resident repeatedly said he did not intend to mislead anyone with his protest, which drew a crowd of curious onlookers.

It's just the latest chapter in an escalating debate over the growing influence of technology in society. Elon Musk and Stephen Hawking have voiced concern over where it is going while most members in the high-tech industry insist it's merely more fear mongering over the evolution of machinery.

A spate of movies, including the AI thriller Ex Machina, which debuted at SXSW this weekend, and the forthcoming USA series Mr. Robot, have spiced up the debate.